Power check writer



Nov. 15, 1921. 1,649,632

J. WHITAKER POWER CHECK WRITER Filed Dec. 5. 1925 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 15, 1927. L64-32 J.-WHITAKER POWER CHECK WRITER Filed Dec. 5. 1925 12 Sheets-Sheet P Nov. 15, 192 7.

J. WHITAKER POWER CHECK WRITER Filed Dec. .5. 1925 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 l/JO I l l I I l l l I l Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,632

J. WHITAKER POWER CHECK WRITER Filed Dec. 5. 1925 1 2 Sheets- Sheet i 5 fzww a J. WHITAKER POWER CHECK WRITER Nov. 15, 1927.

Filed Dec. 5 1925 12 Sheets-Sheet. 6

Nov. 15 1927.

J. WHITAKER POWER CHECK WRITER Filed Dec. 5. 1925 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 Nov. 15, 1927.

J. WHITAKER POWER CHECK WRITER Filed Dec. 5. 1925 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Nov 15, 1927.

J. WHITAKER POWER CHECK WRITER Filed Dec. 5. 1925 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Nov. 15, 1927.

J. WHITAKER POWER CHECK WRITER Filed 1390.5. 1925 l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 QQ Q 28o [MeniW ja zaw J. WHITAKER POWER CHECK WRITER Filed Dec. 5, 1925 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 Z :20 /6 P2/ g x; l\ \\\\w.\\\wg- Nov. 15,1927. 1 649,632

J. WHITAKER POWER CHECK WRITER Filed Dec. 5. 1925 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 FAY TOTHE URDE OF,

M DOLLARS JOHN DOE 5;; CO CONTRACTORS lil- LYA

Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

llhl

ITEDSTATES PATENT ()FFICE.

Jenn \VI-II'I'AKER, on LANSDALE, PENNSYLVANIA, Assienon, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

IPOWER CHECK WRITER.

Application filed December 5, 1925. Serial No. 73342..

The principal object of my invention is to provide a manually controlled power oper manipulation of a single lever associated ith the keyboard.

The keyboard is also provided with a con trol key for starting the automatic operation of the power. driven impressing mechanism, whereby the selections previously reg istered on the keyboard will be successively impre sed upon the check to be written.

Another object of the invention is to construct the check writing machine in such a manner that a series of identical checks may be produced from a single registration of selections by the operation of a single lever and the starting hey after the writing of each check of such a series has been completed.

In the accompanying drawings Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively a fronteleation and plan view of a check writing machine constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention.

3 is a plan view of the lower portion of the machine, the operating head thereof having been removed.

l is a plan View of the operating head with the outer casing removed.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 5-5, Fig. 4;;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 66, Fig. 4; y

i Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation taken on the line Z'7, Fig. l;

l 8 is a sectional elevation taken on the line S8, Fig. 4; i

FigQQis a sectional elevation taken on the line 99, Fig. 4;

10 is a sectional elevation taken on the lne 1010, Fig. l;

Fig". 11 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 11--11, Fig. 4C;

sential features of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 1212, Fig.4; Fig. 13 1s a plan view taken on the line l313, Fig. 7; i

Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 14-14, Fig. 7;

Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 15-15 Fig. 8; i

Fig. 16 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 16 -16. Fig. 11;

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the retrieving mechanii n1.

Fig. 18 is an inv-erted'plan view of the retrieving mechanism.

Fin: 19 is a sectional plan View taken on the line 19-l9, Fig. 7;

Fig. 20 is a sectional elevation takenton the line 20 20, Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 2l 21, 20;

Fig. 22 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 22-22, Fig. 19;

Fig. 23 is a diagrammatic view of a check and the keyboard illustrating the process of manipulation of the selector keys necessary to cause the machine to form the lin pressions on the face of the check as illustrated.

Referring; to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings my improved check writing machine comprises, in general, a keyboard structure 1, suitably mounted in an operating head 2 which is secured along one of its sides to "a base structure 3 its opposite side overhangmg the said base structure in such a manner as to provide a passageway 4: into which a which the machine is operated. The usual flexible conductor (not shown) is provided to supply the necessary energy for the motor. Power may be supplied from other sources and through other means than that illustrated without departing from the es- Adjustable guides, 10 and 11, are pro vided int-he passageway 4 in order that the check to be written may be correctly positioned with respect to the impression mechanisin of the machine. The guide 10 under control or a knob 12, governs the posit-ion the writing is to occupy with respect to the long edgesof the check, while the guide 11 under control ofa knob 18 governs the position of the writing with respect to the short edges of the check.

When checks in strip form are to be successively written the first check of such a strip is positioned as above stated and there after the guide 10 is raised clear of the passageway a, by the manipulation of a lever 14, and the positionof each succeeding check will be governed by an indicating arrow 15, secured to the head 2 and. designed to register with the amount line appearing on all previously printed blank checks.

hen the check to be written is satisfactorily positioned in the machine a lever 16. is manipulated to cause the check to be gripped'betwe'en feeding wheels hereinafter more fullydescribed,

The keyboard structure, as shown in Fi 2, is provided with a number of separate and distinct series of registration keys 17,

eachkey of a series being of a dill'erent character marking from the others of that particular series, but each series being iden' tical with the other series on the keyboard.

, The different character markings on each key of any one series similarly represented in the impression mechanism of the machine.

In order to write any. given amount on a check, the check to be written is first placed in the slot l and positioned as above described. A selection of one character from each series of keys is successively registered inthevarious rows or series of keys 011 the keyboard, starting at the left hand side thereof, until the face value of the check to be written is completely registered onthe keyboard, a typical example of such registration being. clearly illustrated in Fig. 23.

Should an error be made in the selection or. registration of the selection of a character in any row or series of keys such registration of selection can be withdrawn by the mere pressing of a withdrawalor error key, 18,

at the footoft-hc particular row or series, inwhich the error appears and the correct SGlQClTlOli registered nmnediately thereafter.

Afterhthe selection of characters have been registered completely the impresslon mechanisinofuthemachine is set 111 operation by rpressurebeing applied to the startfikey,

tion, whereaftcr the completed check may be removed from the machine and a blank check substituted therefor; The blank check is positioned in the machine as above described, either for a single check or strip of checks,

as the case may be, and by pressing the start key 19 the check is automatically gripped by the feeding mechanism and the impressing mechanism set into motion as above described. Q

Should it be desired to make a minor change of the character selections to be written on the next check the corresponding error key, 18, may be operated and the change made as above described after pressing the repeat lever 20, and before pressing the start key 19, but if the next check lobe written is different entirely in face. value from those previously written a key board clearing lever 21 on thchead 2 should be manipulated, which releases the completedcheek, resets the impression mechanisin and withdraws all the character registrations on the keyboard, wliereafter the ma chine is ready for new registrations.

'lhe base structure, 3, consists of a sub stantially rectangular open frame comprising front, back and side bars 25, 26, 27 and 28 respectively. Extending parallel to the rear bar 26, from side bar 2? to side bar 28 is an intermediate bar 29. Extending from the side bar 27 to the front bar 25 is a right angle bar comprising legs 30 and 31. The upper side of the frame between the bars 2$)-30 and 2731 is closed by an integral web 32 while the area outlined by the bars Ell-25 and ill-428 is likewise lower than that of the web 32. A sheet metal plate 34 is provided to close the en tire upper side of the frame 3 with the exception of the web 33.

The head 2 comprises a sul'istantially rectangular integral housing consisting of front and rear walls 35, and 36 respectively, 1 a bottom plate 3? extending between the front and rear walls adjacent one side of the head 2, theopposite side consisting of a wall 38, integrally connecting the front and rear walls 35 and 36. The bottom plate 3? lies within the depression in the base structure 3 formed by the web 33 to which it is rigidly secured in any suitable manner. The above described construction COIIIPIlS ing the base structure 3 and operating head 2 provides a substantially rigid foundation for the support of the operating elements of the machine.

The front and rear walls 35 and 36 of the head 2 are provided with upwardly extending projections 39-39 and lOd0 respectivcly, forming guides for the keyboard structure 1, permitting a substantially vertical movementof the keyboard structure for purposes which will be more tally described hereinatter. The projections 39-39 and el-tl -ltl are provided with shoulders e ll1 and ell-42 on which the keyboard structure 1 normally rests, longitudinal 1110VBl116I1h0il said keyboard structure being prevented by a bar 43 extending between and secured to the projections 39-39, at the lower end or front of the keyboard and limit blocks 4l-d4l secured to the projections sill-a0 at the upper end or back oi" the keyboard structure.

The keyboard structurel (Figs. 19, 20, 21 and 22) comprises a rectangularopen frame consisting of front, rear and side bars 45, 4-6, t? and d8 respectively, which are rigidly secured together in any suitable manner, or:

the frame may be formed of one integral casting as desired. A top plate 4:9 and bot tom plate complete the box like foundation structure of the keyboard 1.

The top and bottom plates ll) and 50 are provided with slots 51 and ipectively through which shank portions 53 ol the keys 17 extend and are trictionally held in any position to which they may be moved. Each key 1? is provided with a head 5d on which a character is displayed by any suitable means. i

The shank 53 of each key 17 is provided with a vertically disposed slot 55 through which a retaining bar 56, extending longitudinally of each series of keysl'T, said bar preventing the removal of the keys from the l-reyboard structure but pcri'i'iitting a limited vertical movement of each key with respect to the keyboard. To register a character selection on the l'ceyboaii'd the particular key bearing that character is pressed until the upper end of the slot 55 rests on upper or ot the bar 56, such movement of the key causes the lower end 57 ot the key shank to project below the plane occupied by the remainder of the keys, tor purpos s hereinafter more fully set forth.

Each bar 56 is provided with a pair of triangular notches 58---58 which embrace similarly formed cam bars 59 59, secured to the bottom plate 50 of the keyboard structure 1. i

Each efror key 18, is provided with a vertical centrally disposed elongated slot 60 and a short vertical slot 61 at each side there oi. The bar 56 passes through the central slot 60. One leg 62 of a bell crank lever 63 snugly its each of the slots 61, 61. The bell crank levers 6363 arepivoted at 64: to the plate 4L9. The second legs 65-65 of each pair of the bell crank levers 63-63 are conit flat spring 69 is provided for, and to normally maintain each key 18 in its raised or inoperative position. One end of the spring 69 is rounded and engages the lower surface otthe enlargement 68 and the other end is rigidly secured to the under side of the plate 50 as shown in Fig. 20.

lo "withdrai-v a registered selection in any.

one series or row of keys 17, pressure is applied to the error key 18 0t that row, which turns the associated pair of bell-crank levers 63--t3 on their pivots and through the pin (36 and slot 67 a longitudinal movement of the bar 56 ensues. As the bar 56 is moved longitudinally it is also raised vertically, due

the keys 1'? and to the cooperative action of the cam bars Gil--59 and the notches 5858, which raises,

to their normal positions, any and all of the keys 1717 of that series that may have been depressed. When pressure is released from the key 18 the said key, the bell cranks (3363 and the bar 56 associated therewith are returned to their normal positions through the action of the spring 69 of that series. i

The keyboard structure is provided with clearing mechanism whereby all the registraw tions thereon may be withdrawn simultaneously. i

Each of the bars 58 is provided, at its end oppo ite. the key 18 with an angularly disposed slot 70. A. connecting rod 71 passes through the slots -70 of the entire series of bars 56 56, and its opposite ends are supported in angularly disposed slots 7272 in the side bars 17 and as of the keyboard structure 1.

A shaft 78 is journaled in the side bars i7 and t8 and a series of levers 7 1 are secured thereto in a spaced relationship. Links ?575 connect the tree ends of the levers 7st to the rod 7 1. Suitable loose fitting spacing sleeves 76--76 are provided on the bar 1 between the bars 5656 and the links 5"5. The shall 73 has secured to its end adjacent the side bar t8 the clearing lever 21, by which the registration of the entire keyboard maybe simultaneously withdrawn.

It will bG HDClGI'SiOOd that when a singlekey 18 is pressed the particular bar 56 associated therewith moves freely with respect to the bar 71 due to the slot. 70 in said bar, however, when the clearing lever 21 is manipulated the shaft 73 is turned and through the levers 'l-it, links 75 and the bar 71 all the bars 56 are moved longitudinally at one time, thereby restoring all the keys 17 17 tot-heir normal inoperative positions.

Thekeyboard structure 1 is also equipped with a starting key 19 by which the automatic impressing mechanism is set into 1no tion. The key 19 is similar in construction A to the keys 17 and 18 and is provided with an additional depending stud'li, slidably mounted in the upper and lower plates 49 and 50. The stud T7 is shouldered (Fig. 22) to provide an abutment for one end of a spring 78 which surrounds the reduced portion of the stud, the lower end of the spring bearing upon the upper side of the plate 50. A limit block 79 is secured to the shank of the key 19 and prevents its withdrawal from the keyboard structure.

It will be understood that the key 19 is depressed to start operation of the i1npressing mechanism and upon its release it is returned immediately toits normal orinoperative position by the spring 78.

Referring to Figs. 7, 11 and 13 it will be notedthata shaft 80 is journaled adjacent one ofits ends in the wall 38 and adjacent its opposite end in a hearing 81 integral with the plate 37 and the back wall 36 of the head 2. a

Suitably secured to the end of the shaft SOadjacent the wall 38 is a flanged collar 83, in the flange of which are concentric mental slots 81-8 1, through which pass lock screws 85-85 which are threaded into tapped holes in a type wheel 86 loosely mounted on the shaft 80 between the flanged collar 83 and the wall 88. This construction permits otangular adjustment between the type wheel 86 and the shaft 83 on which it is mounted. a

Splined to the shaft 80 and capable of lateral movement thereon between the wall 38 and the hearing 81 is a sprocket wheel 87. The said sprocket wheel 87 is provided with an extended hub 88 at each of its sides. The hubs 88-88 are shouldered and jour naled in side frames 8989 of a control carriage 90.

The side trames 89-89 are extended toward the trout wall 35 and between said side frames is suitably journaled an idler roller 91. An endless chain belt 92 passes around the sprocket wheel 87 and the roller 91 and the upper run of said chain supported in a U shaped rail 93. The side frames fill--89 are secured to the rail 93 and 1 1.

The chain 92 is provided with three equally spaced special links 94 94c, in the present instance, the distance between said special links being equal to one circumference'of the sprocket wheel 87, also being equal to the distance between the first and last shank 530i each series or rou of keys 17 01 the key board 1, as shown in Fi 7 The links 94 91 are each provided with laterally extending ears 9595 designed to ride upon the upper surfaces of the upright as shown in Figs. 7

legs of the rail 93. The side frames 89-89 are inturned at their-upper edges and em keyboard structure 1 and the depending ends 57 of the key shanks 53. Each of the links 919et is provided with a single upwardly extending lug 96 at right angles to the ears 95-95, designed to engage the shank ends 57 of the keys 17 when they are depressed. y i

The lower run of the chain 953 is in a mannor supported by a metal plate 98 secured to the underside of the front wall 35, rear wall 36 side wall 38 and the top surface of the bottom plate 37 of the head 2 and in conjunction with the plate 3 1 defines the passageway cl: forth-e checks to be written] Secured to the shaft 80, outside the bearing 81, is a planetary gear mechanism comprising a flanged collar 190 provided with a projecting pin 1.01 on which is rotatably mounted a gear pinion 102. The pinion 102 meshes with a pinion 193 formed integral with a sleeve 10s: on the outer end of which is secured a spiral gear wheel 105. The sleeve 19% and gear wheel 105 are free to rotate "with respect to the shaft 80. The pinion 192 also meshes with internally formed teeth 106011 a ring 107.

The ring; 107 is secured to a circular plate 198 rotatahly mounted on theslecvc 19 i and its outer face is in the form of an intermittent spur gear 1139 designed to cooperate with an intermittent gear 110.

The gear 110 is secured to a spiral grooved shaft or feed screw 111 rotatably mounted at one end in the wallfi-ltl and adjacent its opposite end in a bracket 112 secured to bottom plate 37 01 the head 2.

The gear'ltlh meshes with a pinion 113 (Fig. fiysccured to a vertically disposed shaift 111 journaled in a bearing block 11.5 secured to the base structure 3. The outer end of the shaft 89 likewise journaled in a ball bearing 116 mounted in the block 115. The shaft 111 driven from the motor 8 by any suitable meansprc'terably through an overload slip clutch 117, of any suitable type. a

The circular plate 198 (Fig. 6) is provided with a scan-circular depression in which aroller 119 normally rests to prevent rotation of the saidcircular plate 108, under certain conditions. The roller 119 is rotatahlyniounted on a. pin 11520 extending laterally fron'wa flat spring 121 secured to the rear wall 39 oi the head.

The circular plate has secured to its side adjacent the gear wheel 10:) an impression cam 122 and a locking cam 123, respectively. p

a The locking care 123 (Fig. 6), when rotated, operates a lever 124 secured to one end of a rock shaft 125 suitably journaled adjacent the lower edge of the back wall 36 of the head 2. A spring 126 maintains operative contact between the lever 124 and cam 123 at all times. Secured to the opposite end of the shaft 125 (Figs. 11 and 16) is a broad faced gear segment 127 which meshes with a gear pinion formed on a locking bolt 128. rotatably and slidably mounted on the wall 38. The bolt 128 has a conical forward end 129 designed to enter similarly formed cavities 130 in one side of the type roll 86. The bolt 128 is provided with a spiral groove 131 into which projects the reduced end of a screw 132 threaded into the rear wall 36.

When the cam 123 is rotated the shaft 125 is rocked, the gear segment 127 rotates the locking bolt 128 which thereby is advanced until the conical end 129 thereof enters one of the cavities 130 in the type wheel 86. The first action is to center the type to be used directly over a movable platen or anvil 133 and the final action is toprevent any rotative movement of the type wheel while the impression is being made. i

The movable platen or anvil is loosely mounted on one end of a lever 134 but snugly fits within an aperture in the web 32 of the frame 3, which insures perfect alignment between said platen and the type wheel.

The lever 134 is pivoted to the frame or base structure 3 at 135 and forked at its oppo' site end to engage an adjusting thimble 136. The thimble 136 encircles the lower end of a plunger 37, the upper end of which is provided with a cam roller 138 which engages the impression cam 122.

The plunger 137 is slidably mounted and vertically guided in a housing 139 secured to and extending through the bottom plate 37 of the head 2. The thimble 136 is provided with an adjusting screw 140 which engages the lower end of the plunger 137 by which the degree of impression on a check may be minutely controlled. A spring 141 is vpro vided to normally maintain the face of platen 133 in a position below the surface of the plate 34 in the passageway 4.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the gear wheel 105, receiving continuous rotation from the motor 8,transinits that rotation to the sleeve 104 and pinion 103. From the pinion 103 motion is imparted to the pinion 102. The gear ring 107 is held stationary, through the circular plate 108, roller 119 and spring 121, and the in ternal teeth 106 of said ring 107 meshing with the teeth of the pinion 102 causes the pinion 102, in rotating about the pin 101, to move said pin 101 in a concentric path about the centre of the shaft 80.. The pin 101 be ing secured to the flanged collar 100, which in turn is secured to the shaft 80, causes the said shaft to be rotated at a reduced rate depresses the lower end 57 of the key shank 53 into the path of one of the lugs 96 of the continuously moving chain 92. lVhen a lug 96 on said chain engages the depressedkey shank movement of the chain 92 is stopped, consequently stopping the shaft 80. 1 Rotation of the gear roll 105, sleeve 104, the pin ion 103 and the pinion 102 continues, but the j 3 pin 101 is held against rotation around the centre of the shaft 80. Fixing of the pin 101 causes the pinion 102 to rotate thereon and consequently drive the gear ring 107 and circular plate 108, in a reverse direction to the shaft 80 through the internal teeth 106 of said ring, the roller 119 being forced out of thedepression 118 in the plate 108. V

"Rotation of the plate 108 causes rotation of the locking cam 123 and the impression.

cam 122. the locking cam 123 becoming effective first to secure the type wheel in correct position and the impression cam 122 be-.

coming effective thereafter and through the plunger 137, thimble 136 and lever 134 the platen 133 is raised, thereby forcing the check overlying it to be forced against the face of the type wheel 86 and impressing on the face of the check the character positioned lowermost on the t-ypewheel, which for the beginning of a check writinggx as shown in Fig. 23, is a sealing character.

After the impression of the sealing character is completed the ring 107 continues to rotate and the externalteeth 109 on said ringare brought into operative engagement with the teeth of the intermittent gear wheel 110, which rotates said gear and the spiral grooved shaft or feed screw 111 secure thereto.

1 15 The carriage 90 is provided with afeed element 145in operative engagement with l plate 108 has completed one full'revolution,

returning the lever 124 and plunger 137 to their inoperative positions, shown in Fig. 6, whereby the platen 1.33 is returnedto its normal inoperative position below the plate 34 and the locking bolt 128 has released the Which the spiral shaft or type wheel 86. The roller 119 again has entcred the depression 118 in the circular plate 108rendering it immovable and the respective untoothed portions of the intermittent gear wheels 109 and 110 are in engagement one with the other.

The upper run of the chain92 is now free to again move inthe direction of the arrow (a) Fig. 7 until oneof the lugs 96 engages a depressed end 57 of a character key in thefirst row or. seriesof keys adjacent to the start key 19, whereupon the impression mechanism is again automatically operated as above described. The operation above described is successively repeated until the carriage 90 is moved into alignment with a row or series of keys. wherein none of the keys have been depressed, whereuponthe chain 92 and its assoclatcd elements Wlll idle. The

' tions 1d8-148 which he one at either side or cw of the sprocket wheel 87. A portion 148 of each of these annular portions 148 is removable to permit the placing of the sprocket 87 therebetween. The side frames 89-89 of the carriage 90 are secured to the annular portions 148 as clearlyshovvn in said figures. l

The head 146 is provided with a pair of grooves 1419-449, in its upper side, dis posed at an angle coincident with the pitch angle of the spiral groove 150 in the shaft 111. A pair of blades 151, 151 are adapted to the grooves 1 19-:449 andengage the spiral groove 150 of the shaft or feed screw 111.

The blades 151151'are of a right angle construction being pivoted to a platel52 secured to the under side of the head 1.4.6,

extending vertically as shown in Fig. 7 then horizontally through the grooves 149-1 19 as shown in Figs. 7 and 13. A retaining spring 153 extends between the free end of each of theblades 151'-151 and the plate 152 for the purpose of maintaining the said blades in the groove 150 of the shaft 111 Release of the blades 151-151 from the groove150Inay be accomplished by a bar 15-1, extending across the head 2 parallel to the shaft 1.11, and pivoted at 155 to the wall 38of said head at one of its ends, its opposte end being secured to a short shaft .156 iournaled in the bracket 112. Upon rocking the shaft 156 so that the har15et is 176 to the hoarina block 1131.

1??) of said lever engages a roller 180 on one aises;

raised the blades 151-151arereleaser.l from the groove 150. i

A flexible cable 157 is connected at one of its ends to the plate 152 of the carriage 90 and passes around a horizontally disposed sheave 158 journalled in thewall 38 and thenceacross the head 2 to a spiral groove faced retrieving drum 159 rotatably mount- The drum 159 ed at one side of the head 2. 1s under torsional stress at all tunes and upon release of the blades 151-451 from the groove 150 of the shaft 111 returns the car riage 90 to the posltion inni'iediately underlrey 19.

In order that the carriage 90 may ride evenly and Without gamniing in the coiu'se of its travels across the machine I provide the,

162 are a pair eta-ear "wheels 163 and 164 of equal pitch diameter. The gear wheel 163 n'ieshes with the teeth of a gear rack 165 which extends across the head 52 parallel to the shaft 11.1 and has one of its ends socured in the side wall 38 and its opposite end on the'hraeltet 112. The gear Wheel 16 1 meshes with the teeth of a ear rack 166 secnredte the front wall 30 of the head 2. The gear racks 165 and 166 are of equal pitch with each other and with the gear wheels 163 and 164 which insures equal immanent of both ends of the carriage 90 simultaneously.

The carriage 90 is supported at one end by the head 1 16 riding; the shaft 111. While the opposite end is supported by a roller 16? rotatably mounted on the end of the shaft 160 and riding in a groove 168 formed in the front wall 35.

A dash pot construction comprising a cylinder 169 (Fig; 15) secured in the side wall 38, and a movable piston element 170 absorb the shock of the carriage being returned by the spring operated retrieving: d ruin 1519. A spring 171 is placed behind the piston element 170 to extend the said piston when the carriage moves awav froin its initial posi tion. Breathingof the dash pot permitted throng'l'i a restricted opening 172 in the base thereof. Y

lieeding of a. check being: written per torn'iedby a cam 175, semu'ed to the end of the spiral grooved shaft 111, which mieratas againstone arm 176 of a leverlTT piroterl at The other arm end of a slide bar 181. slidably mounted in the side walls 27 and 28 of the hase structure 3. The opposite end. of the slide bar 181. is connected by a link 182 to a disc 163 loosely mounted on the outer end of a transverse lying and in alignment with the start llll shaft 184 journaled in the bars 29 and 30 of the base structure 3.' Pivotcd to the disc 183 is a spring pressed pawl 185 which engages the teeth of a ratchet wheel 186 secured to the shaft 184. Knurled faced teed wheels 187187 are secured to the shaft 18% and project through openings in the web 32 and plate 34: one at either side of the platen 133 and slightly in advance thereof. A spring pressed detent pawl 189 is pivoted to the bar 29 and engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel 186 in a manner to prevent backward movement of the feed wheels 187, 187. The feed ing mechanism is returned to its normal position by a spring 188 connected to the slide bar 181 and the frame bar 29.

Pressure rollers 190190 are provided to insure a. grip of the check by the feed wheels 187 187. The rollers are each rotatably mounted in one leg of an inverted U shaped carrier 191 slidablymounted on an end plate 192 suitably secured to the back wall 36 ot the head 2. A rod 193 projects upwardly from the carrier 191 through a bearing 19 1 and terminates in a head 195 which is pro vided with a pin 196 extending into an an gularly disposed slot 197 in the lower end 198 of the release lever 16 which pivoted at 199 to the end plate 192. Av s u'inn' 200 is coiled about the rod 193 between the carrier 191 and the bearing 19% and tends to main tain said carrier in a lowered position. When the lever 16 is operated the pin 196 moves within the slot 197 thereby raising the pressure rollers 190 from the feed wheels 187 and is retained in that position by an oft set end 201' of the saidslot 197.

To insure the feeding of the check to be written by having the pressure rollers 199 199 in contact with the upper face or" the check and thereby pressing the check against the knurled face of the feed wheels 187-187, Iprovide a safety device 1, 3 and 19) comprising a lever 292 pivoted at 203 to a lug; on the side wall 38, having one 7 end underlying the depending rod 77 of the start key 19, and the opposite end 295 underlying one leg of a hell crank lever 206 pivoted at 207 to the end plate 192. The other leg of the lever 296 is provided with a roller 298 which engages the front side of the lever 16 and when the start key 19 is depressed the levers 202 and 206 are operated to lo the pressure rollers 190-199 into operative engagement with the check to be written.

in order to write second check, identical with one having just been coinj'iletech it is not necessary to reregister the character se ]ecticns aereter on the keyboard mechanism being provided by which the carriage 99 is returned to the start position, operable by the repeat lever 20.

ltotatably mounted in the upright guide w er projections 39 -39 and -4t0 extending respectively 'from the front and rear walls35 and 36 of the head 2 are two shafts 210 and 211, (Figs. 1, 5, 7, 8 and 11). Secured to the shaft 219and underlying the front bar the keyboard structure 1 is a pair of cam levers 212-212, and secured to the shaft 211 underlying the rear bar 16 of said keyboard structure is a pair of cam levers 213, 213. The shafts 210and 211 each project beyond the guides 39 and 10 on one side of the head 2 and have secured to such projecting ends levers 214; and 215 respectively. A link 216 connects the treeends of these levers and lies in a plane immediately adjacent the body of the repeat lever 20, said lever 20 being pivoted at 217 to a lug 218 projecting from the bottom plate 37 of the head 2.

The lever 20 is provided with a vertically extending slot 219 through which projects a stud screw 220 which is secured in the link Operation of the lever 20 raises the )l'Q keyboard structure 1, through the a'tts 210 and 211 and cam levers'212 and 213, to such an extent that the ends 57 of all the depressed keys 1" above the plane of l are travel oi the lugs 96 on the chain 92.

The lever 29 has a second arm 221 to which is pivoted a link 222 whose opposite end is slotted at 223 to receive a stud 221 secured in a lever 225 which is pivoted at 226 to the bottom plate 37 of the head 2. A second link 227 is pivoted at 228 to the lever 225, its opposite end being pivoted at 229 to a lever 230 secured to one end of the short shaft 156 which controls the release bar 154. \Vhen the bar 15d is raised by operation of the lever 29, it releases the blades 151-151 from the spiral groove 150 of the shaft 111 and permits the carriage 90 to be returned to the start position, under the influence of the spring operated retrieving drum 159.

In order to insure the release of the completed check and the pressure wheels190-190 the said pressure wheels are automatically raised when the repeat lever 20 is operated. A link 231 has one of its ends pivoted at 232 to the lever 22 5 and its opposite end pivoted at to the free end of a lever 23 1which is secured to one end of a shaft 235 rotatably mounted in a bearing 236 projecting from the rear wall 36 of the head 2. The opposite end of the shaft 235 is mounted in 'a bearing formed in the end plate 192 (Fig. 19); Secured to the shaft 235 adjacent the plate 192 is a cam lever 237 adapted to engage a roller 238 rotatably mountedon a lever 239 pivotedat 2 10 to the plate 192; lhe lever 239 is provided with a second roller 241 adapted to engage the rear edge of the lever 16 and when the repeat lever 20 is operated the lever 16 isinoved forward through the train mechanism above defrom the feed wheels 187*187 scribed thereby raising the pressure wheels l90-190 permitting withdrawal of the completed check.

After a check has been written and a. check of different face-value is to be written thereafter. the registration keys 17 are all returned to their normal inoperative positions by operation of the clearing; lever 21 as herembet'ore described and it is preferable to utilize this operation to reset the impressing mechanism for the succeeding check. .Piv oted to the clearing lever 21 at 24.2 is a link 243 whose opposite end is slotted at 2% to receive a stud 245 securcdto the upper end of the lever 225. Operation of the lever 21 will move the lever and thereby operate the releasebar 154 and the pressure roller release mechanism as above described, but, due to the slot 223 in the lever 222 the repeat? lever will be unaffected. Likewise, whenthe repeat lever 20 is operated the lever 21 remains unaffected due to the slot 24-4 in thelink 243.

To obviate any tendency of the keyboard structure toraise,.due to a pressure exerted thereon by alug 96 of the chain 92 coming into contact with one of the depressed ends 57 of the keys 17, the shaft 211 (Figs. 4, 7 and 11) is provided with a latch lever 246. secured thereto, whose free end enters a cavity 2st? in the bar aGand engages the lower side thereof. When the shaft 211 is turned the latch lever 246 moves out of the cavity 247and permits the keyboard to be raised.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 11 it will be noted that the type wheel is supplied with ink or other marking medium from a felt roller 248 rotatably mounted in the free forked end of a spring lever 2-1l9 secured at 250 to the rear wall 86 of the head 2.

The entire head 2 is enclosed in a suitable casing 251 which is provided with an opening 252 through which the keyboard 1 is exposed to view. I prefer to secure the casing at each corner of the aperture 252 to the upright guide members 3989, l0-4-0, as in dicated at 253-253, for the purpose of limi ting the vertical movement of the keyboard 1. The casing 251 is also secured at other points, preferably along its lower edge, in any desired manner, and it is provided with openings through which the various levers extend. An opening254 is provided in the casing through which the marking medium is applied to the felt roller 248, said opening: beingnormally closed by a spring controlled cap 255.

Spring guard plates 256 and 257 are suitably secured on the head 2 and underlie the type wheel 86 exposing only the character. between their adjacent edges. that is to be impressed uponthe face of the check.

It will be noted upon reference to Fig. 23 that the space on the face of the check reserved for the name of payee is serrated but it is not inked except for the name itself whichis placed thereon in any suitable manner previous to being placed in the passageway 4 of the machine. The sorration abovenoted is accomplished by means of a tired platen "53 secured in the undcrsideof the wall 38 (Fig.8) and a coo ui-rating move able platen 259 pivoted to the lever lEl-l and slidable in an opening in the web 32 of thebase structure 3.

The check guide or positioning means 10 (Figs. 8 and 12) may consist ofa plate 260 dovetailed to a second plate 261 secured to the lower ends of a pair of rods 262-262 slidably mounted in the rear wall 36 and being connected at their upper ends by a cross bar 263. The cross bar 263 is provided with a groove 26% into which projects a pin 26:) secured to the lever ll which is pivoted to the back wall 36. The plate 260 is adjustable on the plate 261 by means of the knob 12 which is secured to a screw 266 threaded into the plate: 261 and being provided with a groove into which projects the legs of a forked projection 267 on the plate 260.

The check blade substantially of a thickness equal to the measurement of the passageway 4: to which may be secured a pair of gear racks filth-268 slidably mounted in the lmse structure 3 and adapted to be eng aved by gear wheels 269-269 secured toa shaft 270 rotatably mounted in the base structure 3. A gear 271 is secured to the inside end of a short shaft 272 rotatably mounted in the front bar 25 of the base structure 3, the knob 13 being secured to the outer end of said shaft. The gear 271 meshes with one of the gear wheels 269.

The spring controlled retrieving drum 159 forms no part of the present invention but is employed as above noted to return the carriage 90 to the start position on the head 2. The said drum comprises a hollow body having a partially tapered face provided with a spiril groove to receive the cable 157, one end of which is secured to the hollow body of the drum. Within the said hollow body i. a spiral spring 273 one end of which is secured thereto and the opposite end is secured to the spindle 27 on which the drum rotates. Torsion is applied to the spring 273 by turn'hn of the spindle 27a to which is secured a ratchet wheel 27;") adapted to be engaged by a. pawl 276 pivoted to the drum support 27? whereby torsion once applied is retained.

Upon reference to Fig. 2 it will. be noted that the individual rows or series of keys 17 are separated by a vertical rib 280 which extend: above the normal level of the heads 54 of the said keys and prevents the pressing of keys of adjacent rows accidentally by striking therebetween. However, it does guide 11 may comprise a thin 

